20 February 2023 , 14:07
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Erik ten Hag and Youri Tielemans sent the rumour mill - and Manchester United fans - into overdrive on Sunday courtesy of a brief touchline interaction.
The United boss was caught on camera quietly patting the Belgium international on the back just before he was introduced as a second-half substitute for Leicester during Sunday's match at Old Trafford, which ended in a comfortable 3-0 win for the hosts.
There has already been plenty of speculation over the long-term future of Tielemans: after a move in the January transfer window failed to materialise, the highly-rated playmaker is expected to depart the King Power Stadium as a free agent when his current deal expires in the summer.
The likes of Arsenal and Manchester United have been extensively linked with the sought-after midfield star in recent months. Ten Hag's gesture has only intensified the speculation that Tielemans could be on the move to Old Trafford - and some of Tielemans' old comments may have already outlined his stance on such a switch.
When he was asked last summer about the prospects of moving on, Tielemans stressed that he was comfortable at Leicester and would need to be presented with a "great project" to persuade him to move.
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Speaking ahead of Belgium’s UEFA Nations League clash with Poland back in June, the Leicester star told RTBF: "You need to stay calm. I’m good where I am. I still have a year left on my contract. I’m not in a rush. When you change clubs, you don’t change just to change. You change because there is a great project on the table.
Join the debate! Where do you think Tielemans will end up playing next season? Let us know here.
Youri Tielemans has already dropped several hints over his future amid links to Arsenal and Man United (Amazon YouTube)"For a player, the most important thing is to play. It’ll be up to me to make the right decision regarding my future this summer, but now, I’m relaxed and focusing on the Red Devils."
Intriguingly, Manchester United would now appear to be a strong match in most respects to the conditions Tielemans tentatively laid out last year. With Ten Hag at the helm, the club are finally moving in the right direction following a calamitous 2021/22 campaign. Playing an influential role in steering Manchester United, one of the world's most successful clubs, is the type of project which is likely to entice Tielemans.
After seeing a blockbuster deal for Frenkie de Jong collapse last summer, Ten Hag is expected to resume his search for a No.8 at the end of the season.
And with an elite No.9 also on the Dutchman's shopping list, a deal for Tielemans would be cost-effective if the midfielder doesn't pen a new deal with Leicester over the coming months - and one that would likely appeal to both Ten Hag and the Old Trafford hierarchy.